What is an EYP Session like?

Each EYP session, though with its own unique character, is largely based on some core elements.

Teambuilding On the first weekend of an EYP session, between twelve and twenty students from all over Europe get together in a committee. Under the direction of experienced team-builders, in conjunction with the committee Chair, the delegates in committees engage in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, some physical, others creative, yet others more problem solving, but all of them fun, and all of them designed to get this disparate group of people working as a team. Teambuilding ends with the teambuilding presentations, a sketch which every committee has to put together to show to the other delegates, so bringing everyone back together at the end of the weekend, and giving the delegates a last fun creative team exercise before the Committee work begins.

Committee work This is the central part of any session. The delegates of the committee come together and discuss their particular topic. Their goal is to write a resolution on this topic on which they can all agree. This is no easy task. They come from very different perspectives, and will almost certainly have to reach compromises if they are to find agreement within the time required. To help them in this, each committee has an experienced Chair, an older EYP alumnus, who ensures that everybody's ideas are heard and that the resolution reflects the ideas of the group - that every member of the committee can feel proud of it. The discussion is always very heated, but the end result is that each of the delegates has learnt an incredible amount about the issue, and really thought about the implications, and has developed and redeveloped his or her own views. The skills delegates learn here, in discussing, debating, persuading and negotiating, will stand them in good stead for the future.

General Assembly The General Assembly reunites all the participants of the session, to consider the results of committee work. Each committee presents and defends their motion for resolution, which is then debated by the Assembly. Thus delegates have to be familiar not only with their own topic but also to some extent with all the resolutions. At the end of each debate there is a vote, based solely on the personal concscience of each delegate. The resolutions which are passed are subsequently presented to the European Parliament and National Governments, and other such bodies. While it is true that the European Parliament has gone on to discuss issues brought up by EYP resolutions, the main aim of EYP is not so much to exert political influence as to provide an educational experience for the individual participants.

Evening activities Like all young people, the participants at an EYP session value the chance to relax from the very hectic pace of the session schedule, and the evening programme is designed with this mind. Beyond the time given over to general socialising, a number of more formal events take place.

Eurovillage Each of the countries represented puts together a small stand with items from their country, a flag in the background, souvenirs and information brochures in the foreground, and lots and lots of national food to be sampled.

Committee Dinner Mid-way through the week, this is a chance for the committee members to get to know each other better during a relaxed evening in one of the host city's many restaurants.

Euroconcert The talents of EYPers are various, and in recognition of the many musically gifted among the delegates, this event is a chance for these musicians to show their abilities, playing a variety of instruments, singing and dancing.

Farewell Party This party marks the end to an incredible week, the last act of the session. Inevitably it is both a happy and sad occasion, happy because the delgates have had so much fun, but sad in the knowledge that the morning after they all return to their home countries, changed people nonetheless.